Gardening Programs Address Growing Interest in Backyard Food Production

Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report / LeelanauCounty
8527 E Government Center Drive, Suite 107
Suttons Bay, Michigan49682
Phone: 231-256-9888 / E-mail:
Fax:231-256-8331
Web:msue.msu.edu/leelanau
September 2009

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Gardening programs address growing interest in backyard food production

With growing interest in gardening and backyard food production, the MSU Extensionhome horticulture and Master Gardener program staffs have teamed up to assist area residents in learning about backyardvegetables and fruit production.

From March to May, a series of 11 classes were offered to help beginning gardeners learn the basics of everything from preparing a garden site to weeding and controlling pests to harvesting and preserving the produce.

Classes were taught by MSU Extension horticulture educator Pam Schmidt,several MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers and other local expert gardeners.

The sessions includedorganic vegetable gardening,pruning fruit trees and berries,heirloom vegetable varieties andseed-saving exchanges, composting; raised bed gardening, no-till gardening and green energy.

The classes were all held in Leelanau County, but attracted participants from as far away as Charlevoix. The programs were well attended, attracting a total of more than 200 registrants. Many people attended a number of sessions, while others attended only one.

Some quotes from participants, published in a June 4 article in the Leelanau Enterprise included, "This was so much better than reading a book," said Barb Ppieker, who attended the salad gardening event.

"You can see the results and taste the results. This is exactly what we need. It is what the environment needs, and it is what our health needs."

Mary Hughes, a Master Gardener from Benzie County said, "You can learn about this in class, but when you actually see it applied, it clarifies everything."

She was commenting on the field-based class that gave participants a chance to see a garden and ask questions.

Hughes attended a number of sessions to learn new techniques, even though she has been gardening for seven years.

In addition to helping teach some of the classes, MSU Extension Master Gardener volunteers have also taken on leadership roles in the community with a variety of volunteer projects related to growing food.

Some examples of these projects come from:

four volunteers who helped start the Grow Benzie! Community Garden
six volunteer who taught three Junior Master Gardener Clubs through the 4-H program,
12 volunteers who designed and installed edible gardens at three early childhood centers (Leelanau Children's Center, Grand Traverse Band Benodjenh Center, and Father Fred Angel Daycare)
two volunteers who started a children's garden at the Kingsley Library
one volunteer who designed a garden curriculum for a local Montessori school
two volunteers who publishedfour gardening articles in a new quarterly magazine called “Edible Grand Traverse.”

Master Gardener volunteers have also provided important leadership at the Leelanau CommunityGarden, helping with the garden, but more importantly, mentoring at-risk youth, and coordinating the harvest and delivery of hundreds of pounds of produce to a local food pantry and nearby schools.

In total, 10 volunteers have reported 275 hours so far this season, expanding the garden and increasing its productivity substantially. Youth who were mentored in the program reported that they would be able to share what they learned about gardening at home with their families.

Contact: Pam Schmidt

or 231-256-9888

Hop to it: Northern Michigan farmers expand into novel crop production

“Dad, what in the heck is that?” my son Wyatt asked as we passed the telephone pole scale trellis system along M-72 near Empire.

“Why, those are hops,” I replied. “They’re used for flavoring beer”. Recent hop shortages, growing appeal with specialty beers, and the desire for organic and locally sourced agricultural products have resulted in increasing interest in local hop production by farmers, brewers and backyard enthusiasts throughout Michigan.

In the last 5,000 years hops (Humulus lupulus L.) have been used for medicinal purposes, as a salad ingredient, as a sleep aid in pillows, and perhaps most importantly, as an essential ingredient in beer production.The female flower “cones” of the hop plant contain lupulin glands with compounds important to the brewing process. These compounds, including alpha acids, beta acids, and essential oils, contribute to beer’s bitterness and aroma.

In 2007, hop demand outpaced supply for the first time in years. Consequently, prices sky-rocketed ($5-$50 per pound in Michigan) and the needs of small-scale breweries took a backseat to large scale beer producers who hold long-term contracts for 80 percent of U.S. hop production. As prices increased, interest in hops production nationwide grew and farmers in many Great Lakes states planted hops for the first time in more than a century.

Though the most U.S. hopproduction takes place in Washington and Oregon, because of growing interest in the “buy local” movement and organic production, there may be an opportunity for small-scale producers to satisfy the needs of many Great Lakes microbreweries.

A 2008 MSUExtension survey of Michigan brewers found that all were interested in establishing a contract with a small, local grower, 75 percent were concerned about the market security of hops and 55 percent would pay a premium of up to 10 percent for locally grown, organic hops. If area growers are savvy and diversify their marketing to include the medicinal, herbal and home-brew markets, they may be able jumpstart a regional hop industry.

In response, MSUExtension hosted a “Sustainable Hop Production Workshop” that was attended by more than 150 people, from brewers to farmers. Based on demand, a second workshop is set for Oct. 2 at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station.

Contact: Robert Sirrine

Leelanau County MSU Extension Director

231-256-9888 or

Exploring the possibilities at

4-H Exploration Days

Each June, Leelanau County 4-H teens experience have the chance to travel downstate every June for three days of learning and fun on the Michigan State University (MSU) campus in East Lansing.

They join more than 2,000 of their peers from across the state as part of “4-H Exploration Days.” This long-running career development program gives participants between ages 12 and 18 the chance to take classes, live in a university dormitory, eat in the cafeteria, find their way around campus and meet new friends from across the state.

“4-H Exploration Days” is very popular with local teens. This summer, 83 local youngsters were accompanied by 18 adults on the trek to East Lansing. Leelanau County had the third-largest county delegation in the state at this year’s event.

What impact does attending the event have on teens? A survey, completed by a little more than half of the Leelanau teens who attended this year gives a glimpse.

When asked what personal abilities or skills they improved by attending Exploration Days, more than half of the teens noted independence, map reading, making friends, being on time, responsibility and viewing themselves as future college students.

When asked to give examples, teens explained:

[My class] taught me how to work better with people with different personalities.
I learned to always be myself and let my voice be heard.
You have to make your own decisions because your parents aren’t there to help you.
I feel empowered; I can do what I never thought I could before.
I am now open to new career paths.

Ninety-five percent of the youth said attending

4-H Exploration Days has positively influenced their decision to attend college.

“I view myself as a college student with more confidence around the campus,” one said.

Any final comments?

“It was awesome and I’d like to do it again next year!”

Contact: Barbara Duvall

Leelanau County 4-H Youth Educator

231-256-9888 or .